Spain Stamps


Stamps -> Europe -> Spain & Colonies

When looking for old Spain stamps, online auctions like eBay are a great place to search. Often, auctions are in lots so you get several stamps to add to your collection, often from many different countries and time periods. Some stamps can also be purchased individually, with or without ready-made displays. With a little research and some time spent browsing the auctions, you can find an excellent deal on the stamps you want to buy.

Queen Isabella II, the Queen of Spain, issued a decree in 1849 for the use of postage stamps on correspondence. After watching England first embrace the use of the postage stamp, starting in 1840, and then seeing that use spread to France, the Queen of Spain decided after 9 years that it was a good idea, so she got her country on board by approving the first Spain stamps.

In the two months between the decree and the actual issuance of stamps in early 1850, many rules were handed down about their use. In this time is was decreed that they were to go on the top left corner of the letter, and they could only be used to mail pre-paid letters within Spain, and to Italy. The two original designs on Spain stamps were reproduced 100 years later, in 1950, to celebrate 100 years of stamps, and then in 1964 for International Stamp Day

The Spanish Penny Black, named after the first postage stamp in Great Britain, bears an image of the queen, just as most Spain stamps did until she abdicated the throne in 1868. During the time when here face graced these stamps, a special postmark was used that wold not deface the image of the stamp, but rather frame her face respectfully, by her own request. She didn’t want the image of her face on each stamp to be marked over by a “demeaning” cancel mark. Metallic ink was first used on Spain stamps in 1853 when reduced cost stamps bearing Madrid’s coat of arms were printed for letters delivered within the city.

Spain stamps were changed yearly because officials were afraid of forgery. This resulted in Spain’s high creation of stamps—285 different stamps in 20 years, making them less than sought after by early collectors. In 1966 on the anniversary of the first postage stamp in the world, the Penny Black, Spain issued 3 commemorative stamps for International Stamp Day, in which the covers and postmarks were reproduced, something not yet done in stamp design, so these are interesting for collectors based on that alone.

When shopping for Spain stamps, note how the auction lists the condition of the stamp, whether or not gumming remains on the back, whether or not it’s alone or in a sheet or coil, and the general condition of the stamp. Also, if it’s in a lot, clarify if the lot is all Spain stamps, or if they’re from a variety of sources. And don’t discount lots of mixed stamps, sometimes you’ll find an unexpected treasure in them.

Photo Credits: Smabs Sputzer

Originally posted 2008-10-15 05:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • stampbookStamp Booklet Stamps -> Europe -> Germany & Area A stamp booklet is now a popular way for countries to sell postage stamps because they're smaller and easier to handle that a sheet of stamps or loose stamps. In the United States however, the booklet has given way to a folded sheet......
  • Monroe StampsMonroe Stamp Stamps -> Topical-and-Specialty -> Famous People The Marilyn Monroe stamp was released on June 1, 1995, on what would have been Marilyn’s 69th birthday. It joined the ranks of what the United States Postal Service calls “blockbuster” stamps, like the Elvis stamp, and some commemorative stamps like those honoring Civil......
  • postageCollecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
  • stampsAll About Collectible Postage Stamps The art of collecting collectible postage stamps is a hobby that has become popular with several millions of Americans as well as people all throughout the world, including young and old alike. Many people that are just beginning with collectible postage stamps enjoy the thrill and the challenge that comes......
  • Swiss Soldier StampsSwiss Soldier Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Switzerland Some people, even those who have been collecting stamps for years, may never have heard of Swiss soldier stamps. That’s because these stamps weren’t actually postage stamps for use at large, they were created for the Swiss soldiers who were activated to full duty to......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • sportsCollecting Autographed Sport Memorabilia Are you thinking about collecting autographed sport memorabilia? If you are interested in creating a sports collection of some kind, one of the options that is available to you is collecting autographed sport memorabilia. If you want to add autographed collectibles to your own personal collection, what you may like......
  • coindracmasCoin Collecting: The Hunt for the Coin The biggest thrill of coin collecting comes in the form of the actual hunt and chase for the coin itself. There are plenty of coin collectors who thrive on the thrill of the chase, spending hours upon hours looking for one particular coin. There is plenty of excitement and joy......
  • Coca Cola CollectiblesCoca Cola Collectibles Collectibles -> Advertising -> Soda-> Coca-Cola By far, one of the most endearing collectibles that has become popular over the past few decades are Coca Cola collectibles. This company has done a great job of coming up with many ways to create valuable and memorable products that are highly sought......
  • coinsWhen to Walk Away from Coin Collecting Coin collecting is an incredible hobby that gives millions of people around the world enjoyment year after year. There are people who jump into coin collecting in their adult life, and others who have been collecting for as long as they can remember. While some are going to continue to......
  • Wacky JackyWacky Jacky Sport Fishing Wacky Jacky 415.586.9800 San Francisco, CA 50-foot sportfishing boat with room for 25 anglers. Captain Jacky Douglas is a woman skipper with 29 years of fishing experience. Jackie started fishing on SF area boats in 1955, and became a deckhand in 1970 on the New Flory S. She skippered a......
Online Stores

Queen Victoria Stamps

Stamps -> UK (Great Britain) -> Victoria

Queen Victoria StampsFor collectors of stamps from Great Britain, perhaps the most desirable stamp of all is the Queen Victoria Stamp. This is a rare stamp that was first made in 1840. The original value was one penny, but since that time these stamps have become much more expensive. You can easily expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on an authentic Queen Victoria stamp.

While there are many of these available, it is important to know whether or not you have an authentic Queen Victoria stamp on your hands, or if it is a fake. Here are some easy guidelines to help you determine not only the authenticity of your stamp but whether or not it will be worth a great deal of money.

1. Overall Condition

Queen Victoria stamps that are in great condition will obviously sell for more money. If you are a serious collector with money to spend, look for an extremely fine or very fine condition stamp. These will typically have very small perforations on the edge and the entire stamp will be very clean looking and in overall good condition.

However, if the stamp is too perfect, you may not be dealing with an authentic Queen Victoria stamp. There should be some age and wear to the item if it is authentic.

2. Look for adhesive.

One of the world’s first adhesive stamps was the Queen Victoria stamp and these are worth an incredible amount of money. Ideally, you should look for one that has the majority of the gum intact, since these will be worth the most money. However, even stamps that only have a small amount of adhesive can still be worth a pretty penny.

If the adhesive is not dark colored, as it would be with age, this is a sign that it may have been added recently. Remember, if it looks too new – chances are that it is.

3. Avoid faults.

Unless you are merely collecting Queen Victoria stamps for the fun of it, you should avoid faults. These are imperfections that are the result of age and handling, and not from the original designer. If the stamp is torn, or has creases, it will be worth less money. However, little things like having a hinge still intact may actually increase the overall value of the stamp.

This is one case where perfection makes it easy to spot a fake. While collectors always look for Queen Victoria stamps that are in close to perfect condition, they will still have some age since they are so old. Avoid any stamps that are completely perfect.

Stamp collecting should be fun, so first and foremost remember that if you do come across an authentic Queen Victoria stamp, even if it was used on a postcard it is still a rare find. Take good care of it and you never know, it may increase in value over time. These rare stamps are a lot of fun to collect.

Originally posted 2008-08-24 05:00:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • French StampsFrench Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> France and Colonies Collectors of stamps that also enjoy history are commonly drawn to French stamps for many different reasons. These are unique items that often depict the struggle for freedom, and the French stamps from the colonies are considered to be very valuable as well......
  • Spain StampsSpain Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Spain & Colonies When looking for old Spain stamps, online auctions like eBay are a great place to search. Often, auctions are in lots so you get several stamps to add to your collection, often from many different countries and time periods. Some stamps can also......
  • US Postage StampsUS Postage Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots When it comes to finding stamps of great value, US postage stamps are usually the most popular. In fact, many of these stamps may be worth more than $100k, and frequently will go well above that. When you are shopping for collectible US......
  • Swiss Soldier StampsSwiss Soldier Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Switzerland Some people, even those who have been collecting stamps for years, may never have heard of Swiss soldier stamps. That’s because these stamps weren’t actually postage stamps for use at large, they were created for the Swiss soldiers who were activated to full duty to......
  • blog traffic exchangeValuable Stamps Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History If you are interested in stamp collecting as more than just a hobby, it is important to focus on finding valuable stamps. These are the ones that will enhance your personal collection and provide you with a solid investment that you can count on.......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • coinhuntingKeeping the Fun in Coin Collecting Coin collecting can be a fun experience, an interesting hobby for those who are looking for a way to bring joy and excitement into their life. The same can be said for children who are getting into coin collecting – the sheer act of collecting money is enough to make......
  • dollarcoinsThe Joy of Dollar Coin Collection When it comes to collecting money there are several different types of paper money and currencies which one can collect. Some types of coins and paper money can be easy to access, while others may offer a certain level of difficulty. Some people are attracted to collecting certain types of......
  • euromoneyWhat to Look For When Collecting Foreign Currency Foreign currency may be the perfect direction for you to take your collection into. Currency from around the world is plentiful and varied, giving you a wide variety of pieces to choose from. You can focus in on nothing but foreign coins or can start a collection of the beauty......
  • chickenTips for Finding Great Deals on Old Coins and Paper Money When you get started with collecting currencies of any kind, there are different things that you are likely to be concerned with. One of the main things that people will be concerned with is the kinds of currency that they have as well as what the value is. Of course,......
  • homeimproveEasy Home Improvement Projects Fixing up your very own home with some easy home improvement projects can be enjoyable as well as profitable, even when you are only making a few easy home improvement changes in your space. There are several different touches that you can implement to your bathroom or your kitchen in......
Online Stores

History of Postage Stamp Collecting

postagestampsWith the creation of the postage stamp came the birth of the concept of postage stamp collecting. This occurred just shortly after the first postage stamps were introduced in the year 1840 by Great Britain. Plilately, the study of postage stamp collecting has been derived from phileo, the Greek word for “I love” and the word ateleia, which means “free of charges”.

As individuals first began to experience postage stamp collecting, these intriguing little pieces of paper were not perceived to be very valuable at all. The first time an advertisement was released to collectors, women were beginning to place ads looking for stamp collections so that they could paper their walls with the intriguing designs. With such a wide variety of different postage stamps being made available during the 1860s, children all over the world began postage stamp collecting right out of the mail that their parents received. These children then quickly grew to become adults, and during this growth they continued postage stamp collecting until it became a serious hobby for them.

The grandson of the Queen even began postage stamp collecting as he received help from servants that were responsible for handling the mail in Buckingham Palace. He was so fascinated by postage stamp collecting, in fact, that it became a passion for him in life. When he grew to become an adult, he has become one of the leading philatelists in the entire world, and he was also asked to join the Philatelic Society, which was in London. He became so passionate about this society that he eventually grew to become the president. He went on to become the King of England and even gave the society a new name, and so it became the Royal Philatelic Society in London. He assembled, through his years of postage stamp collecting, what would become one of the greatest collections of postage stamps in the entire world.

The hobby of postage stamp collecting became increasingly popular when commemorative stamps began to be released. The first stamps in the United States were issued in remembrance of the New World’s discovery by Christopher Columbus. Some of these commemorative stamps are still available today, and they happen to be extremely valuable as a result.

As postage stamp collecting became more popular, postage stamp values began to increase. With these increases in the value of stamps, the number of stamp collectors also grew. During the 1930s, for example, many collectors in America were stockpiling stamps that had been issued ten years prior in the 1920s, and these stamps quickly climbed in value. These particular stamps can even still be found in mint condition today.

Collectors are always seeking out souvenir sheets from countries all over the world as well as coins of stamps with hard to find plate numbers. Stamps that possess errors in printing also tend to be extremely popular as well. In beginning your own stamp collecting hobby, it is important to figure out what theme or what type of stamps you would like to collect, and then simply begin your collection however you like.

Photo Credits: Thomas Hawk

Originally posted 2009-12-16 03:25:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • 2stampsBuying your Postage Stamps Online With the wide availability of different stamps from all over the world, there is an enormous selection from you to take from when it comes to buying postage stamps online. The following tips should help you when it comes to expanding your stamp hobby by purchasing and even selling your......
  • stampsSetting Up a Postage Stamp Collection Many people come by the idea of setting up a postage stamp collection in different ways. Some people come across a single stamp that inspires them while others fall in love with the hobby after someone they know exposes them to it. No matter how you came by the concept......
  • postageCollecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
  • israelImportant Stamp Terms Knowing the meanings of certain stamp terms is an important part of stamp collecting because it means you have a thorough understanding of what you are doing. Here are some of the stamp terms that are well worth knowing: Adhesive - This is, in actuality, exactly what a stamp is.......
  • US Postage StampsUS Postage Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots When it comes to finding stamps of great value, US postage stamps are usually the most popular. In fact, many of these stamps may be worth more than $100k, and frequently will go well above that. When you are shopping for collectible US......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • Harley Davidson CollectiblesHarley Davidson Collectibles Collectibles -> Transportation -> Motorcycles-> Harley Davidson The Harley Davidson motorcycle has become an integral part of Americana and the pop culture of this country. Once the favorite bike of outlaws and renegades, Harley Davidson collectibles have gone mainstream and they are more popular than ever. There are literally hundreds......
  • romeGet to Know the Most Collectible Coins in the World There are quite a few people in the world collecting coins. The coins which are being collected range from the ordinary to the extremely rare. The kind of people collecting coins also range from the child collecting the coins they find in pocket change to the serious collectors spending millions......
  • uscurrencyCollecting More than Coins with Value There are some people who simply base their collection on coins with value that they have been able to find. They do not think about any personal connections to any of the coins in their collection – they simply worry about how much their collection is worth. While coin collecting......
  • rainforestCoin Collecting for Dummies Coin collecting is an incredibly large form of collecting, with millions of individuals around the world collecting in both novice and professional ways. There are plenty of people who want to get into coin collecting, but few who know how to actually take this type of collection seriously. Anyone who......
  • euros5 Things to Know When You Collect Coins Those who collect coins are a part of a huge legion of people who create some of the most astounding collections. Whether it be through rare coins or major coins with value, these collections bring together currencies from all over the world. If you are someone who is looking to......
Online Stores

Email Updates

100 years abraham lincoln adhesives amount of money auction collectible stamps collecting stamps colors commemorative stamps creases Duck Stamps ebay great britain gum hinge imperfections lincoln money multitude Old Postage Stamps old stamps online auctions perforations period of time postage stamp postage stamps postmark presidents queen victoria rare stamp Rare Stamps rarity rips stamp album Stamp Collecting stamp collection Stamp Collections stamp collector stamp collectors stamp designs Stamps time period united states valuable stamps what this means